Making Good People Helpless Will Not Make Bad People Harmless ∙
For from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you. – Mark 7:21-23
Romans 1:28-32:
Since they thought it foolish to acknowledge God, he abandoned them to their foolish thinking and let them do things that should never be done. Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, quarreling, deception, malicious behavior, and gossip.
They are backstabbers, haters of God, insolent, proud, and boastful. They invent new ways to sin and disobey their parents. They refuse to understand, break their promises, are heartless, and have no mercy. They know God’s justice requires that those who do these things deserve to die, yet they do them anyway. Worse yet, they encourage others to do them, too.
A Tragic Event That Shook the World
In 2025 and 2026, Minneapolis, MN, once again captured national and international attention as a focal point of social and political unrest. However, these events cannot be fully understood without revisiting the tragedy that occurred six years earlier.
In May 2020, the murder of George Floyd in broad daylight by a Minneapolis police officer shocked the world. The heartbreaking incident, caught on video, showed Floyd pleading for his life as the officer knelt on his neck for over eight agonizing minutes, as bystanders watched and recorded it. This act of brutality sparked global outrage, leading to widespread protests that ranged from peaceful demonstrations to violent riots.
Minneapolis became the epicenter of a powerful movement calling for systemic change. The city’s streets resonated with demands for racial equity, police reform, and justice, as communities worldwide rallied in support. This crucial moment laid the groundwork for the challenges and responses that would shape Minneapolis in the years to come.
A Wake-Up Call for Humanity
The incident served as a long-overdue wake-up call, forcing society to confront the deeply entrenched issues of cruelty and hatred within humanity. Although the events themselves were clear and subject to critical analysis, the core question of why such atrocities happen remains a central topic of ongoing discourse.
This tragedy highlights the profound duality of human nature, the capacity for both extraordinary evil and remarkable goodness, a tension that has persisted since the fall of humanity.
The Reality of a Fallen Nature
The sad truth is that humanity, at its core, is inherently damaged. Evidence of this shows even in how young children act, where selfishness and defiance often occur alongside innocence and joy. Throughout history, people driven by their baser instincts have committed terrible acts of cruelty and violence against others. This harsh reality reflects the brokenness ingrained in our very nature.
The Call for Change
A profound transformation seems necessary, but how can it be achieved? External constraints have been considered and attempted, but the issues remain unresolved. Upon reflection, it appears that “Making good people helpless will not make bad people harmless.” Genuine and lasting change cannot be achieved through superficial actions or external controls alone; it requires a fundamental renewal of the human heart.
The Need for Supernatural Transformation
A key requirement for meaningful change is a profound spiritual renewal, a metamorphosis that only God can bring about. When individuals experience rebirth through the Holy Spirit’s power, they begin a lifelong journey of walking in the light and aligning their lives with the Father’s will. This supernatural transformation is the only force capable of effectively confronting the inherent darkness within the human heart.
In contemplating the world’s brokenness, we should remember the humbling notion: “There, but for the grace of God, go I!”
The Problem of Evil and the Role of Laws
More concerning is the tendency of these individuals, when in positions of authority, to enact unjust regulations that harm or oppress others. This reality underscores the importance of vigilance and critical thinking when addressing systemic issues, highlighting that laws alone are insufficient to transform the human heart.
Darkness dwells in every human heart, like an untamed beast that cannot be reasoned with, only restrained. Yet, praise be to God, the light of Christ penetrates through this darkness, offering hope and redemption to all who seek it.
REFLECT & PRAY
In Isaiah 25:4, the prophet Isaiah describes God the Father as a protector and refuge for those in need. He is described as a tower that provides shelter, “But you are a tower of refuge to the poor, O Lord, a tower of refuge to the needy in distress. You are a refuge from the storm and a shelter from the heat.”
Father, You are the defender of the helpless and the refuge for the needy in difficult times. Thank You for working, often unseen, to accomplish Your will on earth as it is in heaven. May Your light shine brightly within the hearts of every child of the King, bringing hope and transformation to a broken world.
INSIGHT
Insight into Human Cruelty and Redemption
The Scriptures provide an unflinching account of human cruelty, but they never sensationalize it. Instead, they record the effects of evil laws and their collateral damage, offering lessons of hope and resilience. This theme is clearly shown in the book of Esther, a story full of dramatic twists, moral lessons, and justice.
The Conflict: Haman’s Hatred and Deception
The book of Esther introduces us to Esther, her uncle Mordechai, and Haman, a man consumed by pride and hatred. Haman’s animosity toward Mordechai stemmed from Mordechai’s refusal to bow before him. Feeling humiliated, Haman sought revenge, not just against Mordechai but against all Jews in the Persian Empire.
Haman deceitfully approached King Xerxes, persuading him to issue a decree for the extermination of the Jewish people. He framed the Jews as a dangerous and nonconforming group, claiming they did not belong in the kingdom.
Esther 3:8-9:
“Haman approached King Xerxes and said, ‘There is a certain race of people scattered through all the provinces of your empire who keep themselves separate from everyone else. Their laws are different from those of any other people, and they refuse to obey the laws of the king.”
“So it is not in the king’s interest to let them live. If it please the king, issue a decree that they be destroyed.’”
Xerxes approved the decree, sealing it with his signet ring, thereby setting a date for the annihilation of the Jewish people. However, Haman was unaware that Esther, Xerxes’ queen, was herself Jewish.
Esther’s Courage and the King’s Dilemma
According to Persian law, decrees issued by the king could not be revoked. Despite this, Esther courageously appealed to Xerxes, revealing her Jewish identity and pleading for the lives of her people. Xerxes, enraged by Haman’s deceit, faced a complex dilemma: how to save the Jews without overturning the original decree.
Xerxes resolved the issue by issuing a second decree, granting the Jews the right to defend themselves against any attackers. This new decree turned the tide, empowering the Jewish people to protect their lives and property.
Esther 8:11-17:
“The king’s decree gave the Jews in every city authority to unite to defend their lives. They were allowed to kill, slaughter, and annihilate anyone of any nationality or province who might attack them or their children and wives, and to take the property of their enemies. A copy of this decree was to be issued as law in every province and proclaimed to all peoples, so that the Jews would be ready to take revenge on their enemies on the appointed day.”
“The Jews were filled with joy and gladness and were honored everywhere. In every province and city, wherever the king’s decree arrived, the Jews rejoiced, held a great celebration, and declared a public festival and holiday.”
“And many of the people of the land became Jews themselves, for they feared what the Jews might do to them.”
Divine Justice and Ironic Reversals
The story of Esther is rich with irony and poetic justice. Haman, who sought to destroy Mordechai and the Jewish people, ultimately met the very fate he had planned for Mordechai. His evil intentions backfired, demonstrating the timeless truth of divine justice. As the apostle Paul declares in Galatians 6:7: “Do not be misled, you cannot mock the justice of God. For whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.”
This narrative serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of evil and the triumph of good. As Aesop’s Fables famously warns, “Be careful what you wish for, lest it comes true.”
A Lesson in Hope and Action
The story of Esther shows that even in the face of oppressive laws, overwhelming obstacles, and insurmountable challenges, bold decisions and brave actions can lead to justice, deliverance, and redemption. While Haman aimed only to harm and pursue death and destruction, Mordechai and Esther acted selflessly for their people, overcoming evil with faith and wisdom.
Could helping good people also make bad people less harmful? The Esther narrative stands as a testament to the power of courage, faith, and God’s intervention in the face of human cruelty.
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© Dr. H 2026
Dr H Reflections 